Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Sport
Shayne Hope

Free-kick spike after AFL's holding-the-ball tweak

Holding-the-ball free kicks surged on the weekend after adjustments to the tackle rule. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

AFL coaches are split on the tightening of the holding-the-ball rule after the number of free kicks paid rose more than 40 per cent in the round immediately following the change.

The league announced a significant shift in the interpretation last week, directing umpires to shorten the "reasonable time" component.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.